Essex Enthroned Commanders & Essex Installed Mark Masters
Lodge No. 1044
Saxon Hall
Thursday 10 September 2026
W.Bro. Martin Pickett
1044 is a Lodge not only steeped in a legacy that binds the Province, but it also brings together all Mark Masters, not just the Current & Past Masters & Commanders of their respective Mark & RAM Lodges in a wonderfully unified evening of fine Masonic conviviality.
The latest meeting held at Saxon Hall on 10 September was no exception.
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Opening the Royal Ark Mariner Lodge, Essex Enthroned Commanders, the incumbent Commander, W. Bro. Geoff Newman went on to receive a deputation from W. Bro. Chris Hicks from Boleyn Castle Lodge who passed on the Travelling Ark into the cosseting hands of the Commander; most readily willing & able to sail onto St Katherines Lodge as its’ next safe harbour on its’ circumnavigation of the Province!
Moving forward, with the Treasurer & Warder duly Invested, the agenda took us to that item of welcoming after ballot, naturally proving successful in their favour, the seven Joining Members of the Enthroned Commanders. Dutifully supplied with their bedtime reading of the bylaws, welcomed by both the P.G.M. & Commander alike, they took their places in the Lodge.
Onto the Installation of the Commander Elect, W. Bro. Clive Snell, and what a delightful, heartfelt ritual that placed W. Bro. Clive into the Chair for his year as Commander. As Installing Commander, W. Bro. Geoff Newman was peerless in delivery, ritual & sentiment. Officers Appointed & Invested, agenda items dispatched, the Lodge was closed in due form and solemn prayer by the Commander, impeccably observed by the 114 Royal Ark Mariners in attendance.
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After a short break for the Temple to be arranged for the Mark meeting, the Brethren returned duly clothed in their Mark regalia in anticipation of the meeting agenda to follow.
The Lodge opened in due form by the Master, W. Bro. Paul Firmin, minutes agreed, it was his privilege to welcome the honoured guests in attendance, all warmly welcomed by the Master with humour, clearly in his inimitable fashion!
Onward to another item of great pleasure to all involved during the evening was to welcome 5 Joining Members whom, like the RAM, were duly balloted for and provided with another weighty tome for bedtime reading, the bylaws of the Lodge!
Two Brethren not able to be present at the Installation meeting, W. Bro’s Grahame Clarke & Les Morgan were duly appointed & Invested by the Master into their respective offices. Speaking of Installation, at this point the Election of the Master, Treasurer & Tyler took place and for the ensuing year the following Brethren were elected;
Master – R.W. Bro. John Finlay P.G.M.
Treasurer – W. Bro. David Bailey
Tyler - W. Bro. Kevin Bull
Treasurer – W. Bro. David Bailey
Tyler - W. Bro. Kevin Bull
All were unanimously elected with curiously, no ballot required. Congratulations to all!
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At this point the Lodge was called OFF to enable presentation by Mr. Ron Ridge, a Team Leader of Brentwood First Responders to give a presentation of CPR techniques. Called OFF as, although Ron is a very active member of Craft & Holy Royal Arch in Essex, he’s not currently a Mark Man, although he did leave the Festive Board clutching an application form! The P.G.M. gave a preamble as to the donation and engagement that we, as a Province, have had with the team. A particularly pertinent and relevant topic given the Province of Essex Mark Master Masons donated a sum for the purchase of 5 of the anatomic, female form mannequins used for essential CPR skills. A highly valued and welcomed donation that generated further donations from Heads of Orders present, to further donate funds for the purchase of more equipment for the team and its’ training equipment. Well done, Sirs, such is the power of the Mark and its’ charitable giving.
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Calling ON for the further dispatch of business, the Lodge moved to the award of MBF Collarettes. Numbering 14 in total, the P.G.M. was delighted to present the Collarettes to their respective recipients including 2 Ladies Gold Patron awards, distinction furthering the charitable cause and selfless giving by the worthy recipients all. The awards at this meeting are in excess of any previous meeting, our charity scaling new heights on each occasion, the P.G.M. illustrating the pride he has in our Province and its’ inherent Charitable ethic, long may that continue.
Brethren, the new EMBF Awards as you will receive information for in the coming period, notably your Lodge Charity stewards will communicate to you all in due course, precisely how your Lodges have progressed through the scheme. On this occasion it was a notable and proud occasion for 1044 to receive its’ award as Grand Senior Deacon, a great achievement indeed.
The meeting then receiving the reports of both the Almoner, delivered by W. Bro. Barry Coombes, and the Charity Stewards given on this occasion by W. Bro. Steve Hannabuss.
A timely act now to collect Alms, impeccably observed, given generously, £423 being the sum collected, thank you Brethren!
The Lodge was closed, the Working Plans being deposited in a place of safety, all that remained was the Closing Ode preceded by the first verse of the National Anthem.
Both sung in fine voice, 121 Mark Men adjourned for a fine Festive Board, adding in a raffle that raised £860 including an auction for the 2 ‘Rory’s’ that accompanied 2 participants in the recent Parachute Jump in aid of Festival2030. You’ll be pleased to know that not only the Rory’s but their ‘handlers’ that forced them to make a jump from 12,000ft from a perfectly serviceable aeroplane, all made it safely down to Terra Ferma! A wonderful collection that, focussing on Festival2030 and the clock relentlessly moving toward the Festival Banquet in July 2030 was gratefully received. The P.G.M. responding to the toast from the Worshipful Master, thanked the Brethren for their trust in electing him as Master Elect, also providing a humorous response to the usually irreverent humour residing in none other than the current Worshipful Master. What a fine Festive Board it was.
Brethren, another meeting of 1044 that the full mix of ingredients you would wish to find in such a well-formed Lodge in our wonderful, friendly order, if you are not a member, please consider becoming one, you won’t regret it. If you are not yet a current or past Master or Commander you are most welcome to join us at our assemblies, and likewise you will most certainly not regret it!
Mark Well!
Posted 24/09/26
